[ARC5] Latest metrification frustration

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

I am trying to rebuild my shack, which will include an electronic shop.

Over the last 3 days, I have been trying to mount a piece of 2 X 4, a little less 
than 8 feet long, to an old (1930s) concrete wall to use as a support for my 
bench.

So....I go to our local hardware store, which is affiliated with ACE Hardware, 
and buy 6 ea 3" long, 1/4 X 20 concrete anchors, with 5/16" (ostensibly) 
sleeves, drill the approriate holes and attempt to tighten the included nuts to 
expand the anchors in the concrete.

Hmmmm....strange....the nuts look a little small....obviously NOT 7/16" nuts 
as one would expect 1/4" X 20 hardware to normally include...

Geez...they aren't 3/8" either!!!! 

What the heck?!?!???

To make a long story short, after messing around for over an hour, I discover 
that the nuts are.....10MM.... !!!!!!!!

And I have exactly ONE 10MM socket.

So much for metric "standards".

Some years ago, I was given 150 "ARC-5" receivers. I sold off the cream of 
the crop as we seriously needed money for family issues. So, those I have 
left I want to restore, if possible, or fix up a bit and sell as derelicts for parts.

Getting my shop finished has become a constant series of frustrations, with 
this one being another, and totally unnecessary, one.

If anyone would care to examine one of these bastardizations-of-standards, 
let me know off-list and I will happily send you one. Only the first six people 
get one.

Ken Gordon W7EKB